TALKING POINTS: SEXUAL HARASSMENT
OUR VIEW
Sexualharassment isa formof sexual violence. Sexual harassment is not primarilyabout sex,
but it’s about power–and the abuse of that power. While people who sexually harass havemany
power-based tacticsthey use in order to defend their behaviors, the following aremost common:
cover-up the action, devaluethe [victim], reinterpret the events, useofficial
channels to give the appearance of justice or intimidateand bribe[victims],witnesses, and
others(Scott & Martin, 2006).
WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
In addition to physical forms of assault, forms of sexual harassment can includeinappropriate statements,
lewd gestures,leering behavior, andsexually explicitjokes,
emails,ortexts.These behaviors can occur anytime or any placeincludingbusinesses,
schools, workplacesor public places. Peoplewho sexually harass do so in aneffort tobelittle,
humiliate, and control othersby using sex or sexually-explicit materials and
languagetomake another person feel uncomfortable and fearful. Sometimes their motive is
to have power over that person or to use the power they already have in order to coerceothers
into sexual activities. Their actions, although sexual in nature, areessentiallyabout
exerting power over another person.
COMMON FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
In Latin,quid pro quois defined as“this for that.”In otherwords, the harasser implies or demands sexual
activities inexchangefor a service or condition.Examples includenot beinghired or promotedat work,or not
getting a good grade in classunless the person submits to sexual activities.
A hostile work environmentis created when the actions of those who are sexually harassing
become so pervasive that they affect an individual’s work performance or create an offensive environment.
Hostile work environmentscan exist in workplaces, academicsettings and the military. Examples include
sexual jokes orinnuendoes,as well as displaying or viewing pornography and degrading images.
Street harassment occurs when someone directs unwanted sexually-explicit comments to others in public spaces,
such as streets, parks ormass transit. Itispropelled by a sense ofentitlement and disrespect,and is used to
intimidate and bully others.
STATISTICS
•In a survey of 1,965 students (grades 7-12), 48 percent reported experiencing someform of sexual harassment at school during the 2010-2011 school year. (Hill & Kearl,
2011).
•Reports show56 percent ofpeople who sexually harass in the workplace arecoworkers, while therest are supervisors,vendors, or customers. (Fineran &
Gruber, 2009).
STATISTICSCONTINUED
•Victimsof sexual harassment are predominantly women.In 2010, there were nearly 12,000 charges
of sexual harassment received by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,of which 83 percent were
filed by women (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.).
•In a 2008 survey of women,95 percent reported being targets of leering while in public, 82 percent reported
being the target of vulgar gestures, and 57 percent reported being touched or grabbed in a sexual way by a
stranger in public (Stop Street Harassment, n.d.).
RESCOURCES, HELP& PREVENTION
•Get involved. Hollaback.orgis a movement dedicated to ending street harassment by giving tips to people on
how to confront harassment when it occurs.Stopstreetharassment.org is a resource center where visitors can
access lists of statistics,articles,films, and campaigns around street
harassment as well a side as for action to stop street harassment in their community.
•Educate.The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) has several resources for employers
and victims of sexual harassment. Visit www.nsvrc.org for more information on how to promote respect at work.
•Engagebystanders. Speaking up against sexist jokes or questioning disrespectful behaviors is an
important step in creating safe environments. This iscommonly referred to as the “bystanderapproach”
and engages everyone in the prevention of sexual harassment.
•Work together. Partnering with local rape crisis centers is an important step in creating a
community response to sexual harassment. To find local rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania, please visit the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape at www.pcar.org.To find a rape crisis center outside of Pennsylvania,
please visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at www.nsvrc.org.
•Create safe workplaces. For more information, resources and sample policies specifically about sexual
violence in the workplace visit Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence:A National Resource Center
at www.workplacesrespond.org.
REFERENCES
Fineran, S.,&Gruber,J. E.(2009). Youth at work: Adolescent employment and sexual harassment.Child
Abuse& Neglect, 33, 550-559. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.01.001
Hill, C.,& Kearl, H. (2011). Crossing the line:Sexual harassment at school.Retrieved from American
Association of University Women: http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/upload/CrossingTheLine.pdf
Scott, G., & Martin, B. (2006). Tactics against sexual harassment: The role of backfire. Journal of International Women’s Studies 7, 111-125.Retrieved fromhttp://www.bridgew.edu/soas/jiws/May06/backfiresexualharassment.pdf
Stop Street Harassment. (n.d.).Informal online studies by Stop Street Harassment. Retrieved from http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/resources/statistics/sshstudies/
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.).Sexual harassment charges:
EEOC & FEPAs combined: FY 1997-FY 2010.Retrieved fromhttp://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/statistics/enforcement/sexual_harassment.cfm